RCB signs Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar; Patidar captain; Siraj released

Royal Challengers Bengaluru structured their IPL 2025 strategy around two core moves: letting Mohammed Siraj go in the mega auction to pursue a longer-term bowling balance, and installing Rajat Patidar as captain with a clear preference for an Indian skipper. In a decision described by the club’s director of cricket as one of the most carefully weighed calls in recent memory, RCB chose to pursue Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood instead of retaining Siraj, who had been a defining figure in seven years with the franchise. Siraj subsequently joined Gujarat Titans for a reported Rs 12.25 crore, while Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar became RCB’s new spearheads, helping the team to an IPL title that year.

Siraj had been a central figure for RCB, emerging as the franchise’s third-highest wicket-taker with 83 scalps in 87 appearances. The move to release him came after extensive deliberation, with Mo Bobat explaining that Indian international bowlers are not easy to acquire and that several factors had to align before a decision could be made. The management outlined that retaining Siraj could have hindered the plan to sign Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who they believed could provide effectiveness...